Do I need a work permit to work in the Netherlands?

Whether you need a work permit depends on your residency status and nationality. Work and residence permits are closely linked to your reason for moving to the Netherlands. For example, being a highly skilled worker, employee, student or family member will determine what kind of permit you need to legally work in the Netherlands.

Who applies for a work permit?

If a visa and residency permit are required, your employer can initiate the procedures on your behalf. If you qualify for a gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid GVVA (combined permit for residence and work), your employer needs to apply to the  Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). In other cases, employers need to apply to  UWV Werkbedrijf. Visit the following website for more information:

https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/single-permit-gvva

The IND website also provides detailed information on coming to work in the Netherlands as well as  the financial and other conditions that need to be met.

You generally need to have your residence permit before you can start to work. If you do not need a separate work permit, you can start working as soon as you get your residence permit. The maximum length of a work permit is one year, and your employment status is indicated on it. After three years of employment on a Dutch work permit, you no longer need a work permit. Your residence document will state: ‘Arbeid is vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist’ (Employment freely permitted. No work permit required).

Who doesn’t need a work permit

• EU/EEA citizens plus those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland Note: citizens of Croatia do need a work permit for the first working year
• Highly skilled migrants
• Self-employed workers (eligibility for residence is assessed by the IND)
• Workers on short assignment (journalists, guest lecturers, performers, musicians)
• Persons with a residence permit or passport sticker stating: ’Arbeid is vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist’ (Employment freely permitted. No work permit required).

Latest information about working in the Netherlands can be found at Werk.nl https://www.werk.nl/werkzoekenden/eu/working-netherlands/.